Princess Errant
In Glanyr, a flyblown, marshy principality, the daughter of the drunkard tyrant finds herself lost in boggy wastelands and must rely on the kindness of strangers to see her to safety.
Structure
Exposition
For the first time in long months, the princess of Glanyr was outside the marsh-girt fort city she called home. Her father was at war, leaving Gwen's cruel step mother in control of the household. Accompanied by one guardsman; not even her handmaiden alongside her; Gwendolyn is led eastward, toward the mysterious wooded bog that dominates most of the principality.
Rising Action
The guardsman assaults Gwendolyn, thinking to reward himself with pleasure as well as the coin he was promised. A pair of brothers who were traversing the swampland in the undertaking of a sacred quest happened upon the girl in flight.
Climax
The brothers aid her, and the swamp swallows the horses and the assassin in a bizarre and frightening explosion of boggy plants.
Falling Action
The trio begin to move toward the nearest town. They make camp at sundown; the dangers of the nocturnal marsh outweigh urgency.
Comments